Mariana Islands

NOAA

A tremendous mussel biomass adorns the lava ridges at the crest of the underwater NW Eifuku volcano north of Uracus near the proposed Marianas Marine National Monument. These 7-inch mussels are so densely massed that they obscure the bottom. The white galatheid crabs are 2.5 inches long.

A tremendous mussel biomass adorns the lava ridges at the crest of the underwater NW Eifuku volcano north of Uracus near the proposed Marianas Marine National Monument. These 7-inch mussels are so densely massed that they obscure the bottom. The white galatheid crabs are 2.5 inches long. (NOAA)

A tremendous mussel biomass adorns the lava ridges at the crest of the underwater NW Eifuku volcano north of Uracus near the proposed Marianas Marine National Monument. These 7-inch mussels are so densely massed that they obscure the bottom. The white galatheid crabs are 2.5 inches long.